Wheeled stone saver

ABSTRACT

A wheel assembly ( 66 ) is connected to a base bottom surface ( 26 ) of a receptacle ( 20 ) for facilitating rolling movement of the receptacle ( 20 ) over ground at a construction site. The wheel assembly ( 66 ) includes a pair of flanges ( 68 ) extending downwardly from the base bottom surface ( 26 ) of a front area ( 34 ) and a roller ( 70 ) is rotatably supported by and extends between the flanges ( 68 ). The roller ( 70 ) includes a drum ( 72 ) and a roller extremity ( 74 ) and a plurality of teeth ( 76 ) are disposed about the drum ( 72 ) and extend from the drum ( 72 ) to the roller extremity ( 74 ). The flanges ( 68 ) extend to a position to dispose the roller extremity ( 74 ) below the base bottom surface ( 26 ) of the receptacle ( 20 ) for supporting the receptacle ( 20 ) on the roller ( 70 ) and a first intersection ( 32 ) of a middle and rear area ( 36, 38 ) of the base bottom surface ( 26 ) in a static condition.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provision application Ser. No. 61/081,532 filed Jul. 17, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a receptacle of the type for containing bedding material at a construction site.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The receptacles to which the subject invention pertains normally carry rocks, concrete, soil, and the like, and are moved over ground at a construction site. One such receptacle has been sold by Efficiency Production, Inc. under the trademark “Stone Mizer”. The receptacle includes a base plate having a base top surface and a base bottom surface. The base plate is bent at a plurality of first intersections to define a front area and a middle area and a rear area with the front and rear areas being flared at an upward angle relative to the middle area. A pair of side plates extend upwardly from the base top surface of the base plate to close the sides of the receptacle body, and a pair of arms extend upwardly from the side plates and are disposed above the rear area of the receptacle body. A bar extends between the arms for lifting the receptacle body to move the receptacle body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a wheel assembly which is connected to the base bottom surface of the front area and includes a pair of flanges extending downwardly in spaced relationship from the base bottom surface of the front area and a roller is rotatably supported by and extends between the flanges.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

One advantage of the invention is that it facilitates easier movement of the receptacle through rough terrain at a construction site by rolling rather than dragging movement. Another advantage of the invention is that it extends the life of the receptacle by eliminating the friction and wear that occurs between the base bottom surface and the ground during traditional movement of the receptacle at a construction site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred arrangement of a receptacle showing a wheel assembly attached to a base bottom surface of a front area;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior of the wheel assembly showing a plurality of scraper assemblies;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the wheel assembly showing the scraper assemblies extending into the space between a plurality of rings of teeth;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the wheel assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wheel assembly;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wheel assembly as indicated in FIG. 3 showing a pair of scraper plates of each scraper assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the indicated portion in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a receptacle 20 for containing bedding material at a construction site is generally indicated at 20. The receptacle 20 includes a base plate 22 having a base top surface 24 and a base bottom surface 26. The base plate 22 has a rectangular shape and defines long edges 28 having a long edge length L_(l) and short edges 30 having a short edge length L_(s) with the long edge length L_(l) being greater than the short edge length L_(s). The base plate 22 is bent at a plurality of first intersections 32 to define a front area 34 and a middle area 36 and a 20 rear area 38, with the front area 34 and the rear area 38 each being flared at an upward angle relative to the middle area 36. Additionally, the base plate 22 is rounded along the base bottom surface 26 at each of the first intersections 32 of the middle area 36 and each of the front and rear areas 34, 38.

A pair of side plates 40 extend upwardly in spaced and parallel relationship from the base top surface 24 of the front and middle and rear areas 34, 36, 38 to a rectangular edge 42 to close the sides of the receptacle 20. Each of the side plates 40 are spaced inwardly from the corresponding long edge 28 to define a ledge 44, 46 between the side plate 40 and the long edge 28, and each ledge 44, 46 includes a lower ledge 44 disposed along the middle area 36 and flared ledges 46 disposed along the front and rear areas 34, 38. An edge beam 48 is disposed along the rectangular edge 42 of the side plate 40 to define an edge shoulder 50 extending outwardly from the side plate 40.

A plurality of stringers 52, 54 are disposed in spaced and parallel relationship and extend perpendicularly between the lower ledge 44 and the edge shoulder 50, and the stringers 52, 54 include end stringers 52 disposed next adjacent the first intersections 32 and middle stringers 54 disposed equidistantly between the end stringers 52. A plurality of shoulder beams 56 extend between the end stringers 52 and the edge shoulder 50 and along the flared ledges 46 to provide additional support to the receptacle 20.

The receptacle 20 includes at least one pair of arms 58, 60 that are secured to the edge shoulder 50 and extend upwardly in spaced and parallel relationship from the side plates 40. In the preferred arrangement, the receptacle 20 includes a first pair of arms 58 disposed above the rear area 38 of the receptacle 20 and a second pair of arms 60 disposed above the front area 34 of the receptacle 20. A reinforcement plate 62 interconnects each of the arms 58, 60 to the adjacent beams 48, 56 and edge shoulder 50, and a bar 64 extends between the pair of arms 58, 60 for lifting the receptacle 20 to move the receptacle 20 about the construction site.

A wheel assembly 66 is connected to the base bottom surface 26 of the front area 34 and includes a pair of flanges 68 extending downwardly in spaced and parallel relationship from the base bottom surface 26 of the front area 34. The wheel assembly 66 also includes a roller 70 rotatably supported by and extending between the flanges 68 for facilitating rolling movement of the receptacle 20 over ground at a construction site.

As shown in FIG. 1, the roller 70 includes a drum 72 and a roller extremity 74. In the preferred arrangement, the roller 70 includes a plurality of teeth 76 disposed about the drum 72 and aligned in a plurality of rings equally spaced along the width of the roller 70, with the teeth 76 extending from the drum 72 to the roller extremity 74. However, the roller extremity 74 can also be comprised of a flat surface wherein the drum 72 and the roller extremity 74 are one and the same. In either arrangement, the flanges 68 extend downwardly in parallel relationship to a position to dispose the roller extremity 74 below the base bottom surface 26 of the middle area 36 for supporting the receptacle 20 on the roller 70 and the intersection of the rear and middle areas 38, 36 in a static condition.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel assembly 66 includes an attachment plate 78 having an attachment top surface 80 and an attachment bottom surface 82. The attachment plate 78 is secured to the base bottom surface 26 of the front area 34 of the receptacle 20 along the attachment top surface 80. The wheel assembly 66 also includes a plurality of scraper assemblies 84 extending into the space between the rings of teeth 76 for removing debris from the roller 70. As shown in FIG. 7, each of the scraper assemblies 84 include a pair of scraper plates 86 having a scraper slot 88 and a scraper top surface 90 and a scraper bottom surface 92. The scraper plates 86 are bent at a second intersection 94 to define an attachment area 96 and a scraping area 98, and are interconnected at the scraper slots 88 with the scraper top surfaces 90 of the attachment areas 96 in plane with one another.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the scraper assemblies 84 include a plurality of scraper plate supports 100 that extend in spaced and parallel relationship between scraper bottom surfaces 92 for reinforcing the scraper plates 86 during debris removal. The scraper assemblies 84 are secured to the wheel assembly 66 along the attachment bottom surface 82 of the attachment plate 78 at the scraper top surfaces 90 of the attachment areas 96 of the scraper plates 86, and are aligned along the attachment plate 78 with the intersection of each of the pair of scraper plates 86 parallel to the rotation axis of the roller 70.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. That which is prior art in the claims precedes the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to an antecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in the coverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meant to be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.

ELEMENT LIST Element Symbol Element Name 20 receptacle 22 base plate 24 base top surface 26 base bottom surface 28 long edges 30 short edges 32 first intersections 34 front area 36 middle area 38 rear area 40 side plates 42 rectangular edge 44 lower ledge 46 flared ledges 48 edge beam 50 edge shoulder 52 end stringers 54 middle stringers 56 shoulder beam 58 first pair of arms 60 second pair of arms 62 reinforcement plate 64 bar 66 wheel assembly 68 pair of flanges 70 roller 72 drum 74 roller extremity 76 teeth 78 attachment plate 80 attachment top surface 82 attachment bottom surface 84 scraper assemblies 86 pair of scraper plates 88 scraper slot 90 scraper top surface 92 scraper bottom surface 94 second intersection 96 attachment area 98 scraping area 100  scraper plate supports L_(l) long edge length L_(s) short edge length 

1. A receptacle (20) for containing bedding material at a construction site and comprising; a base plate (22) having a base top surface (24) and a base bottom surface (26) and being bent at a plurality of first intersections (32) to define a front area (34) and a middle area (36) and a rear area (38) with said front and rear areas (34, 38) being flared at an upward angle relative to said middle area (36), a pair of side plates (40) extending upwardly from said base top surface (24) of said base plate (22) to close the sides of said receptacle (20), a pair of arms (58, 60) extending upwardly from said side plates (40) and disposed above said rear area (38) of said receptacle (20), a bar (64) extending between said arms (58, 60) for lifting said receptacle (20) to move said receptacle (20), and characterized by a wheel assembly (66) connected to said base bottom surface (26) of said front area (34) and including a pair of flanges (68) extending downwardly in spaced relationship from said base bottom surface (26) of said front area (34), said wheel assembly (66) including a roller (70) rotatably supported by and extending between said flanges (68) for facilitating rolling movement of said receptacle (20) over ground at a construction site.
 2. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said roller (70) includes a roller extremity (74) and said flanges (68) extend to a position to dispose said roller extremity (74) below said base bottom surface (26) of said middle area (36) for supporting said receptacle (20) on said roller (70) and said intersection of said rear and middle areas (38, 36) in a static condition.
 3. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said roller (70) includes a drum (72) and a plurality of teeth (76) disposed about said drum (72) and extending from said drum (72) to said roller extremity (74).
 4. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said teeth (76) are equally spaced in rings along the width of said roller (70) and said wheel assembly (66) includes a plurality of scraper assemblies (84) extending into the space between said rings of teeth (76) for removing debris from said roller (70).
 5. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said scraper assemblies (84) includes a pair of scraper plates (86) having a scraper slot (88) and a scraper top surface (90) and a scraper bottom surface (92) and said scraper plates (86) being bent at a second intersection (94) to define an attachment area (96) and a scraping area (98) and said scraper plates (86) are interconnected at said scraper slots (88) with said scraper top surfaces (90) of said attachment areas (96) in plane with one another.
 6. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said scraper assemblies (84) includes a plurality of scraper plate supports (100) disposed in spaced and parallel relationship and extending between said scraper bottom surfaces (92) of said pair of scraper plates (86) for reinforcing said pair of scraper plates (86) during debris removal.
 7. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said scraper assemblies (84) is secured to said wheel assembly (66) along said attachment bottom surface (82) of said attachment plate (78) at said scraper top surfaces (90) of said attachment areas (96) of said scraper plates (86).
 8. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 7 wherein said plurality of scraper assemblies (84) are aligned along said attachment plate (78) with the intersection of each of said pair of scraper plates (86) parallel to the rotation axis of said roller (70).
 9. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said base plate (22) is rounded along said base bottom surface (26) at each of said first intersections (32) of said middle area (36) and each of said front and rear areas (34, 38).
 10. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 9 wherein said base plate (22) has a rectangular shape defining long edges (28) having a long edge length (L_(l)) and short edges (30) having a short edge length (L_(s)) with said long edge length (L_(l)) being greater than said short edge length (L_(s)).
 11. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 10 wherein said side plates (40) extend in spaced and parallel relationship from base top surface (24) of said front and middle and rear areas (34, 36, 38) to a rectangular edge (42) and an edge beam (48) disposed along said rectangular edge (42) of said side plate (40) to define an edge shoulder (50) extending outwardly from said side plate (40).
 12. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said side plates (40) are spaced inwardly from said corresponding long edges (28) to define a ledge (44, 46) between said side plate (40) and said long edge (28) with each of said ledges including a lower ledge (44) disposed along said middle area (36) and flared ledges (46) disposed along said front and rear areas (34, 38).
 13. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a plurality of stringers (52, 54) disposed in spaced and parallel relationship and extending perpendicularly between said lower ledge (44) and said edge shoulder (50) and said plurality of stringers (52, 54) including a plurality of end stringers (52) disposed next adjacent said first intersections (32) and a plurality of middle stringers (54) disposed equidistantly between said end stringers (52).
 14. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a plurality of shoulder beams (56) extending between said end stringers (52) and said edge shoulder (50) and along said flared shoulders (44, 50).
 15. A receptacle (20) as set forth in claim 14 further comprising a reinforcement plate (62) interconnecting each of said arms (58, 60) to adjacent said beams (48, 56) and adjacent said edge shoulder (50).
 16. A receptacle (20) for containing bedding material at a construction site and comprising; a base plate (22) having a base top surface (24) and a base bottom surface (26) and a rectangular shape defining long edges (28) having a long edge length (L_(l)) and short edges (30) having a short edge length (L_(s)) with said long edge length (L_(l)) being greater than said short edge length (L_(s)), said base plate (22) being bent at a plurality of first intersections (32) to define a front area (34) and a middle area (36) and a rear area (38), said front area (34) and said rear area (38) each being flared at an upward angle relative to said middle area (36), said base plate (22) being rounded along said base bottom surface (26) at each of said first intersections (32) of said middle area (36) and each of said front and rear areas (34, 38), a pair of side plates (40) extending upwardly in spaced and parallel relationship from said base top surface (24) of said front and middle and rear areas (34, 36, 38) to a rectangular edge (42) to close the sides of said receptacle (20), each of said side plates (40) spaced inwardly from said corresponding long edge (28) to define a ledge (44, 46) between said side plate (40) and said long edge (28), each of said ledges including a lower ledge (44) disposed along said middle area (36) and flared ledges (46) disposed along said front and rear areas (34, 38), an edge beam (48) disposed along said rectangular edge (42) of said side plate (40) to define an edge shoulder (50) extending outwardly from said side plate (40), a plurality of stringers (52, 54) disposed in spaced and parallel relationship and extending perpendicularly between said lower ledge (44) and said edge shoulder (50), said plurality of stringers (52, 54) including a plurality of end stringers (52) disposed next adjacent said first intersections (32) and a plurality of middle stringers (54) disposed equidistantly between said end stringers (52), a plurality of shoulder beams (56) extending between said end stringers (52) and said edge shoulder (50) and along said flared ledges (46), at least one pair of arms (58, 60) secured to said edge shoulder (50) and extending upwardly in spaced and parallel relationship from said side plates (40), said at least one pair of arms (58, 60) including a first pair of arms (58) disposed above said rear area (38) of said receptacle (20) and a second pair of arms (60) disposed above said front area (34) of said receptacle (20), a bar (64) extending between said pair of arms (58, 60) for lifting said receptacle (20) body to move said receptacle (20), a reinforcement plate (62) interconnecting each of said arms (58, 60) to adjacent said beams (48, 56) and adjacent said edge shoulder (50), a wheel assembly (66) connected to said base bottom surface (26) of said front area (34), said wheel assembly (66) including an attachment plate (78) having an attachment top surface (80) and an attachment bottom surface (82), said attachment plate (78) secured to said base bottom surface (26) of said front area (34) of said receptacle (20) along said attachment top surface (80), said wheel assembly (66) including a pair of flanges (68) extending downwardly in spaced and parallel relationship from said attachment bottom surface (82) of said attachment plate (78) and being aligned next adjacent to said side plates (40), said wheel assembly (66) including a roller (70) being rotatably supported by and extending between said pair of flanges (68) for facilitating rolling movement of said receptacle (20) over ground at a construction site, said roller (70) including a roller extremity (74) and said flanges (68) extending to a position to dispose said roller extremity (74) below said base bottom surface (26) of said middle area (36) for supporting said receptacle (20) on said roller (70) and said intersection of said rear and middle areas (38, 36) in a static condition, said roller (70) including a drum (72) and a plurality of teeth (76) disposed about said drum (72) and extending from said drum (72) to said roller extremity (74), said teeth (76) aligned in a plurality of rings equally spaced along the width of said roller (70), said wheel assembly (66) including a plurality of scraper assemblies (84) extending into the space between said rings of teeth (76) for removing debris from said roller (70), each of said scraper assemblies (84) including a pair of scraper plates (86) having a scraper slot (88) and a scraper top surface (90) and a scraper bottom surface (92), said scraper plates (86) being bent at a second intersection (94) to define an attachment area (96) and a scraping area (98), said scraper plates (86) interconnected at said scraper slots (88) with said scraper top surfaces (90) of said attachment areas (96) in plane with one another, each of said scraper assemblies (84) including a plurality of scraper plate supports (100) disposed in spaced and parallel relationship and extending between said scraper bottom surfaces (92) for reinforcing said scraper plates (86) during debris removal, each of said scraper assemblies (84) secured to said wheel assembly (66) along said attachment bottom surface (82) of said attachment plate (78) at said scraper top surfaces (90) of said attachment areas (96) of said scraper plates (86), and said plurality of scraper assemblies (84) aligned along said attachment plate (78) with the intersection of each of said pair of scraper plates (86) parallel to the rotation axis of said roller (70). 